How can CO₂ gas be detected?

When you heat up Copper(II) Carbonate and you produce Carbon Dioxide gas, what is the method used to test the presence of Carbon Dioxide gas?
Steve

Bubble the gas through "lime water" (a solution of saturated with calcium hydroxide). If there is carbon dioxide present, the solution will become milky because the following precipitation reaction will occur:

Ca(OH)₂(aq) + CO₂(g) CaCO₃(s) + H₂O(l)

The test easily detects carbon dioxide in breath.

Author: Fred Senese senese@antoine.frostburg.edu

Copyright © 1997-2010 by Fred Senese
Comments & questions to fsenese@frostburg.edu
Last Revised 01/12/10.URL: http://antoine.frostburg.edu/chem/senese/101/inorganic/faq/co2-detection.shtml